Page 78 of Hearts Aweigh
The idea of mothering the adorable girl thrilled Abby to her hot pink toenails. Marrying Spencer carried more than one perk. But she had to be rational. Two weeks wasn’t long enough.
Right?
Maybe she should ask the Shippers. They were the marriage experts. Her personal matchmakers could offer wisdom.
Spencer halted, his face still pointed at the ground. “I have a proposition for you.”
A proposition? Is that what lawyers called a proposal? Abby slipped her hand in her pocket and closed her fingers around a slender tube. Would it be too obvious? He wasn’t looking at her. She turned at lightning speed, refreshed her lip gloss, and spun back.
“In the past two weeks, I’ve observed you with my daughter, and your talent and connection with her is undeniable. You treatMadeleine with a tender consideration she’s never received in her entire life. The effects are startling, and there’s a marked difference in her. She exudes confidence, I dare say even joy, which has also added to my own happiness.” His brow furrowed. “You may be the greatest surprise God ever sent my way. And the best one.”
They hadn’t even arrived at the candlelight setup. He must be so crazy about her, he couldn’t wait a minute longer. How adorable!
CHAPTER 40
EMILY GRASPED THE ROUGH TREEtrunk and raised her binoculars. Two warm bodies leaned against her back, but she focused on the couple farther down the beach. Abby and Spencer stood ever so close together.
“Candles and everything.” Althea squealed. “It’s a shame Daisy missed this. Her son organized a whole romantic surprise.”
“I’m flabbergasted.” Gerry held the hem of her long tie-dyed skirt away from the prickly beach grass at her feet. “He’s not the type for grandiose gestures.”
Emily passed her the binoculars. “I guess he’s improving. Take a look. Can you use this in your novel?”
Gerry accepted the binoculars. “Not bad. A little cliché. But it conveys the right message.”
Althea dug a piece of chocolate from her pocket. “I like the man’s get-up-and-go. Reminds me of my third husband. He proposed after one date.” She popped the candy in her mouth. “Why don’t we head to the ship? This may be the easiest match we ever made.”
Emily steadied her phone, zoomed in, and took a few pictures. She should send them to Daisy. Wouldn’t she be stunned?
“Someone else is joining them.” Gerry peered through the binoculars.
“What?” Emily snatched the binoculars.
In the distance, a new couple approached, walking hand in hand. A man in jeans and T-shirt followed at a discreet distance with a camera, pausing at intervals to take their picture.
“Who are they?” she asked. “What if they spoil the proposal?”
Gerry stood on tiptoe as if that could help her see better. “Should we head them off at the pass?”
“They’re too far away.” Emily slapped her arthritic legs. “Why can’t these old bones move as fast as they used to?”
She squinted through the binoculars. Her breath rattled in frustration at the new people approaching the couple. “We’d better return to theBuckingham, girls. I imagine Spencer and Abby will leave soon, and we don’t want them to catch us. We can take a bicycle taxi to the ship.”
Althea kept a hand under Emily’s elbow as they walked along the sand until they arrived at the taxi stand. The three Shippers climbed aboard, and Emily muttered a silent prayer that the ill-timed arrivals hadn’t messed up Spencer’s proposal.
Abby fussed with her hair and looked at Spencer. How difficult would it be to kiss him here on the beach? The last time, she’d had the step stool. A pile of sand might give her a boost.
Spencer cleared his throat. “I realize this may come as a surprise.”
Most proposals do.
“And it would be a great upheaval to your life.”
Love is worth a little inconvenience.
“Perhaps it’s selfish of me to hope the happiness you’ve brought Madeleine and me could continue.” He reached for the side of his sport coat. “Is it too much to ask—”
Abby closed her eyes. She dropped her sandals and began to lift her left hand. Better to have it ready when he revealed the ring. She waited for him to utter the sweet words.
